Among Friends

[CaryH]

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@Hayfield wrote:

Downsizing is a hard decision, there's no "one size fits all".  We live in Northern VA, about 20 miles from DC where housing and real estate taxes are very high.  Our two children are grown and on their own but both are single and who knows if we'll ever have grandchildren.  I presently have 4 br, 2.5 bath house about 2,400 sq.ft. with full basement on 1/2 acre.  We were looking in North Carolina, near Wilmington and found the housing prices really good.  We're looking for a detached house, about 2,000 sq.ft. with a 2 car garage but no basment on a much smaller lot, mayber 8,000sq.ft.  We want to downsize but not ready for condo living yet.  The cost of living would be less and the weather would be a little nicer.   It's a hard decision and I totally get why people stay and why people downsize or leave the area they've lived in.  Where your children are and grandchildren do play a big factor in it.  Right now, if I moved, I probably see my children about the same as I do now., which is fine with us.  If I had grandchildren, I think I'd feel different.  Do what's right for you, again "no one size fits all"

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We sound like neighbors!  We're in Fairfax County now but we used to live further west.

I used to have a larger home (3500 sqft) but now live in a condo (1200 sqft). It did take alot of getting used to since I had to get rid of a bunch of my stuff (there was just no room for it all).

Thankfully for me though I don't have a big family that I need to host any longer. None of my in-laws are welcome in MY home so that's nice not to need extra space. My brother and his wife haven't come to visit yet because I mostly go visit them, but he knows that I have a pull out sofa for them in case they ever do come to visit. I know that's not ideal but they also know that I have a much smaller place now.

It's just my son and I (and my other son as well on weekends) so the 2 bedrooms we have is perfect. With the pull out sofa my son can also have friends over and they have a place to sleep.

There are definite pros and cons to downsizing but for me personally I am SO happy I did it. I am a basic homebody (mostly due to my pain) so I don't need much space (also makes it much easier to keep clean). For me, I don't think I could ever go back to a bigger place now.

OP, I hope you make the decision that is best all around for you.